March 16, 2025 Windows 10 will cease receiving security updates after October 2025, and this means charities and non-profit organizations face critical decisions regarding their computer infrastructures. Many refurbished computers, essential for these organizations, do not meet the stringent hardware requirements of Windows 11, prompting a reevaluation of operating system choices.
The Dilemma
The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is not straightforward for many charities. Microsoft’s hardware specifications for Windows 11 exclude numerous processors from 2017 and earlier, rendering many functional computers incompatible. This situation presents charities with three primary options:
- Continue Using Windows 10: Post-October 2025, this choice would expose organizations to security vulnerabilities due to the lack of updates.
- Invest in New Hardware: Purchasing new, compatible devices entails significant financial burdens, often beyond the means of non-profits. This will be even more difficult if tariffs raise prices on new machines.
- Adopt Alternative Operating Systems: Transitioning to Linux-based systems offers a cost-effective and secure solution, albeit with considerations regarding user familiarity and software compatibility.
Case Study: PCs for People
PCs for People, a prominent U.S. non-profit computer refurbisher, has proactively addressed this challenge. The organization decided to discontinue deploying Windows 10 on incompatible hardware a year ahead of the support cutoff. Instead, they have embraced Linux Mint, a user-friendly Linux distribution, for 6th and 7th generation computers. This strategic move ensures the continued usability of refurbished machines without incurring additional costs or compromising security.
Security Implications
Continuing to operate on an unsupported Windows 10 platform poses significant security risks. Chester Wisniewski, Director and Global Field Chief Information Security Officer at Sophos, emphasizes the dangers:
“Deploying Windows 10 at this time is a bad idea… These will be actively turned into digital weapons by criminals and nation-states alike, and Windows 10 users will be somewhat defenseless against them.”
This perspective underscores the urgency for charities to seek secure alternatives to safeguard their operations and beneficiaries.
Linux as a Viable Alternative
Linux distributions, such as Linux Mint, present a compelling alternative for charities. They offer:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Linux is open-source and free to use, eliminating licensing fees.
- Security: Regular updates and a robust security model protect against vulnerabilities.
- Performance: Linux can run efficiently on older hardware, extending the lifespan of devices.
While some maintain that transitioning to Linux requires a lot of user training and potential software compatibility issues, for the bulk of regular users who need email, an office suite and a browser, this is no longer an issue. Full disclosure, we stopped buying Microsoft 365 and shifted to a free open source model with no issues at all. And 90% of the rest of the apps we use are browser based.
No doubt there will be some reasons for not for profits and charities to require Windows 11, but for most others Linux emerges as a viable solution, balancing cost, security, and functionality. By embracing open-source alternatives, non-profits can continue their vital work without incurring prohibitive expenses or compromising on security.
